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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Incredible book. The ideas that pull the story together - culture transcending geography and genetics, nanotechnology, education - are incredibly well-presented and thought-provoking in the extreme. Stephenson even takes a stab at explaining complicated programming ideas by way of fairy tales and does a pretty good job of it. All of the characters are well-drawn, and many of the supporting characters are compelling enough to support whole books of their own.
3.5 stars… slightly too much world building and not enough plot for my taste, but overall an enjoyable first read of 2024!
I wanted to like this book way more than I actually did. The plot ideas and characters deserved to be in a much better woven story.
I really really really liked this. Super interesting exploration of what society could look like when membership in a nation is voluntary plus a super fun plot and some amusing computer science easter eggs.
It took me 3 tries to get through this book, but I ended up really enjoying it. The beginning felt like Snow Crash's cyberpunk all over again with shallow characters and a tribish, enclave world setup despite all the technology, and I liked Snow Crash, just didn't feel like reading it again. It still ended up being a lot like Snow Crash with some ridiculous sword fights, historical mysticism meets technology, characters with names that basically describe their entire reason for being (Hero Protagonist, meet John Hackworth), and strange, extremely pronounced cultural divisions.
However I really enjoyed the idea of the primer, a book that adapts to surroundings and teaches appropriate life lessons. This seems like an amazing way of learning, with interesting subjects like self defense and encryption woven into fairy tales and other stories. I would like such a book.
I also liked the main character of Nell as a young girl learning her way through the world, but perhaps that has a lot to do with my now having a daughter.
I do find it odd how often Stephenson blatantly alludes that AI / technology will never be able to duplicate much of what humans can do, whether it's tell stories or act. It seemed to me that the AI portion of the primer was doing most of the creative work in creating content and responding to environment, and that in doing so was essentially passing the Turing test that it even discusses at one point. There was an actress behind the delivery of the content, but the content itself seemed to be the important stuff to me.
The end was not what I expected either. It certainly doesn't wrap up nicely or predictably, but it was... interesting.
However I really enjoyed the idea of the primer, a book that adapts to surroundings and teaches appropriate life lessons. This seems like an amazing way of learning, with interesting subjects like self defense and encryption woven into fairy tales and other stories. I would like such a book.
I also liked the main character of Nell as a young girl learning her way through the world, but perhaps that has a lot to do with my now having a daughter.
I do find it odd how often Stephenson blatantly alludes that AI / technology will never be able to duplicate much of what humans can do, whether it's tell stories or act. It seemed to me that the AI portion of the primer was doing most of the creative work in creating content and responding to environment, and that in doing so was essentially passing the Turing test that it even discusses at one point. There was an actress behind the delivery of the content, but the content itself seemed to be the important stuff to me.
The end was not what I expected either. It certainly doesn't wrap up nicely or predictably, but it was... interesting.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nell was, by far, my favorite character in this novel. The Primer and Miranda were my next favorite characters. I want a Primer guiding me, even as an adult. The interactive storytelling alone would be amazing!
When I started this audiobook, I would replay entire sections where the techno-babble got too thick. Since I found myself replaying rather consistently in those first several chapters, I ultimately decided to give up that practice. I gleaned what I could, looked forward to the sections that focused on Nell, and understood 80-90% of the material.
I'm sure that if I read this book again, I would discover so many pieces to analyze. Right now, I am content with having enjoyed an engaging steampunk universe.
When I started this audiobook, I would replay entire sections where the techno-babble got too thick. Since I found myself replaying rather consistently in those first several chapters, I ultimately decided to give up that practice. I gleaned what I could, looked forward to the sections that focused on Nell, and understood 80-90% of the material.
I'm sure that if I read this book again, I would discover so many pieces to analyze. Right now, I am content with having enjoyed an engaging steampunk universe.
inspiring
fast-paced
Pretty good book, although the last third seemed either rushed or just not as well polished as the rest of it.
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes